“The Dairy Development Centre (DDC) is one strand of a multi-faceted resource for the agricultural industry known as Farming Connect. The purpose of the Centre is to facilitate the development of the Welsh dairy industry through the provision of a proactive technology transfer service and market intelligence. The Centre is based around a co-ordinating Development Centre and a network of Development Farms, Demonstration Farms and Discussion Groups.
Trusting this website will provide valuable information and contacts to help you develop a successful dairy business.” John Griffiths, DDC Manager
Collaborative Ventures can increase the financial returns for dairy farmers via many options.
A good cow track should encourage rapid cow flow, allowing cows to travel comfortably, whils also minimising damage to feet
When buying in seed mixtures bear in mind that dust and dead seed can account for up to 20% of the contents of poorer quality products
|
Average Farmgate milk price (ppl) |
Feb 10 |
Jan 10 |
diff. Jan - Feb |
Feb 09 |
diff.09-10 |
| UK | 24.16 | 24.67 | -0.51ppl | 24.68 | -0.52ppl |
| -2.1% | -2.1% | ||||
| GB | 24.32 | 24.55 | -0.23ppl | 25.77 | -1.45ppl |
| -0.9% | -5.6% | ||||
| NI | 23.15 | 25.43 | -2.28ppl | 18.11 | +5.04ppl |
| -9.0% | +27.8% |
The Defra farmgate price stood at 24.16ppl in February, a decrease of 0.51ppl (2.1%) from January, which follows the seasonal pattern of a fall in prices at this time of year. Annual comparisons show that the price has fallen by a similar level (0.52ppl) from the average price of 24.68ppl in February 09. Despite the recovery in many dairy commodity markets over the period (see section 2), price increases have not yet passed through to the farmgate.
In GB, there was a smaller fall (0.23ppl or 0.9%) in the farmgate price between January and February, to 24.32ppl. However, annual comparisons show a more striking year-on-year fall of 1.45ppl (5.6%) from 25.77ppl. The fall in price could be due to the ‘stickiness’ of contracts, which cause a delay in commodity price changes being reflected in farmgate prices.
Despite a 2.28ppl (9.0%) decline in the NI farmgate price between January and February to 23.15ppl, prices are still 27.8% (5.04ppl) higher than in February 09.
The March UDF auction also returned an average price in excess of 25.00ppl, suggesting that the NI farmgate price may remain above this level for March.
Looking at individual contract prices, there have been some minor price movements in the past few months, although the majority of these are related to cheese contracts. At the time of writing, price increases on liquid contracts have been announced for May by Milk Link, First Milk and Arla.
More recently the supermarket Marks & Spencer has revised its ‘Milk Pledge’ contract under the new ‘Milk Pledge Plus’. The new model will now reflect the retail price (as well as input costs) and pay an additional bonus based on meeting objectives on animal health and welfare standards.
The links set out below contain information on the different sectors within the dairy industry that are considered important to dairy producers in Wales. The data is compiled in conjunction with DairyCo
Data available includes:
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The DDC delivers the Dairy Development Programme on behalf of Farming Connect. Farming Connect is funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013. This is financed by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Union. To go to the European Commission Rural Development website - Click Here (external link) |
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